Oral Hygiene & General Dentistry

Providing Quality, Comprehensive Dental Care

When it comes to your oral health, the best way to fight disease and decay is prevention. Shaftsbury Dental Center is proud to offer comprehensive dental services for all families in our community, ensuring you get the care you deserve. Using the latest technology and procedures, our dental team provides the highest quality of general dentistry services.

We’re responsible for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide variety of conditions, disorders, and diseases affecting the teeth, gums, and face. When it comes to preventative care, we want to work with you to ensure that you don’t experience any unwanted dental issues.

Oral Hygiene & Your Dental Visits

Shaftbury Building

Maintaining a proper at-home oral hygiene routine and scheduling regular dental appointments is important for the foundation of a beautiful and healthy smile. Poor oral hygiene is the leading cause of oral diseases like gum disease and tooth decay. At Shaftsbury Dental Center, our hygienists are here to answer any questions you may have and give you advice on how to keep your smile clean and healthy.

We recommend visiting our Shaftsbury office every six months, or twice a year, for your dental checkups. Even if you take excellent care of your teeth, bacteria can build up in hard-to-reach areas. To combat this, our experienced dental team will gently clean every surface of your teeth and ensure they’re free of disease.

Deep Cleanings: Periodontal (Gum) Therapy

If gum disease is caught early and hasn’t damaged structures below the gum line, a professional cleaning will help. However, if the pockets between your gums and teeth are too deep, scaling and root planing may be needed.

a comparison of a normal, healthy tooth versus a tooth affected by periodontal disease

This deep cleaning procedure consists of two parts:

Scaling is when our dental hygienist removes all the plaque and tartar built up above the gum line, making sure to clean all the way down to the bottom of the pocket.
Root planing consists of smoothing out your teeth roots to help your gums reattach to your teeth.

Depending on the severity of your infection, scaling and root planing may take more than one visit.

Root Canal (Endodontic) Therapy

Endodontic therapy, or root canal treatment, involves removing infected or dead dental pulp in the tooth and filling it to strengthen the tooth and restore its functionality. Root canal therapy can save your natural tooth and relieve any pain you’re experiencing while stopping the infection from spreading and affecting other teeth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can teeth cleanings damage teeth?

No, professional cleanings don’t damage your teeth. In fact, getting regular dental cleanings can prevent your teeth from becoming damaged. They’re the best way to get rid of harmful bacteria on your teeth that can lead to cavities and oral disease.

We recommend getting your teeth professionally cleaned every six months. Regular hygiene appointments help prevent serious oral health issues and save you from invasive procedures down the line.

How can I take care of my teeth between dental checkups?

We recommend following these helpful tips for taking great care of your teeth between dental visits:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily.
Use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your dentist if you need a fluoride rinse-- this will help prevent cavities.
Avoid foods with a lot of sugar (sugar increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth, causing more plaque and cavities) and avoid tobacco (this can stain your teeth, cause gum disease, and possibly lead to oral cancer).

Be sure to schedule your routine checkups. It’s recommended that you visit the dentist at least every six months.

Visit Shaftsbury Dental Center

For all your general dental needs, our experienced team can provide you with the quality care you deserve. We’ll make sure your smile is healthy by thoroughly cleaning and restoring your teeth. To learn how we can help, call our office located in Shaftsbury, VT at (802)-442-7300 or fill out our convenient online contact form.